Police start to hand out thousands of leaflets across Sunderland in hunt for Nikki Allan's killer
Northumbria Police has printed up the appeal as it puts a fresh focus on inquiries in the hope of finally snaring the murderer who took the life of the seven-year-old East End girl.
Nikki was last seen shortly before 10pm on Wednesday, October 7, 1992, when she left her grandparents’ flat in Wear Garth alone to head back to her own home in the same block.
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Hide AdHer body was found in the basement of the Old Exchange Building in High Street East the next day.
The St John and St Patrick’s pupil had been beaten and stabbed.
Arrests have been made, but no one has been held to account for her murder.
Her mother Sharon Henderson has tirelessly campaigned for justice, while her father David Allan broke his silence to mark the anniversary as he backed police efforts to collect DNA to help eliminate men from their inquiries.
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Hide AdThe move comes after officers confirmed they have found a man’s DNA as part of ongoing inquiries and areview of evidence.
The samples are being taken from friends, family and anyone else who comes forward to say they were in contact with Nikki prior to her disappearance.
Detectives have urged anyone who has previously provided a test to get in touch, with the leaflet drop also asking those with information to make contact.
Officers, supported by members of the force’s cadet team, have started to hand out and post the notes to residents and businesses in the East End and Hendon before they go out elsewhere in the city.